Shipment Classification

Shipment classification is the description of goods used as a standard to uniformly identify and rate commodities for transport. Our industry uses National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), which uses four shipment characteristics to determine classification:

• Density is measured by the shipment weight per cubic foot.
• Stowability is how a shipment can be loaded and includes accounting for excessive weight or length.
• Ease of handling is the amount and type of handling we must provide for a shipment, including any special care and attention your goods require.
• Liability or shipment value is measured by these characteristics:

• Value per pound
• Susceptibility to theft
• Liability to damage
• Perishability
• Propensity to damage other goods
• Propensity to spontaneously combust or explode

Read more about shipping classes.

For your bill of lading, you would enter the proper NMFC item number or numbers for your shipment. Each NMFC item number should have a corresponding piece count and weight on your bill of lading.

And don't worry. If you don't know the shipment classification of your shipment, just call the Freightz Customer Service Center at 1-800-736-4633 with the following information:

• Description of the item to be shipped
• How it's used
• How it's packaged
• Its value
• Its density
• Whether the item is new or used

What is the shipment classification?

Shipment classification (or class) is a standard description of goods to help identify and rate them for transport. Our industry uses National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC),which considers shipment qualities, such as density, loading requirements, handling and liability to determine its classification. The NMFC catalogues the classes and assigns item numbers to them.

For your bill of lading, you would enter the proper NMFC item number for each product in your shipment. Each NMFC item number should have a corresponding piece count and weight on your bill of lading.

Help determining classification

If you don't know the shipment classification, just

• Click here to open a Live Chat session
  or
• Call Freightz.com Customer Service Center at 1.800.736.4633

Please be prepared to provide the representative the following information:

• The description of the item to be shipped.
• How it's used.
• How it's packaged.
• An accurate value of the item.
• Item density, calculated by comparing the weight of an item with the space it takes up (pounds/cubic feet).
• Whether the item is new or used.